About

Leadership

Strong leadership forges strong communities. Wright State is proud to have true champions of learning, giving, cooperation, and compassion at the helm, guiding our university to the forefront of higher education.

President

David R. Hopkins previously served as provost of Wright State University from 2003 until his appointment as president in February 2007.

A central theme to his administration has been the creation of a culture for innovation throughout the university that is reflected through the development of several Centers of Excellence. Six of these multidisciplinary units have been designated Ohio Centers of Excellence by the state and reflect a commitment to technology-based economic development by attracting and retaining national researchers, educators, artists, students, and investments to produce a quality of life conducive to future growth that will transform our region.

These centers incorporate current and future collaborations with business, industry, and government in such areas as human-centered innovation, medical readiness, knowledge-based computing, neuroscience, product reliability, micro air vehicle research, and visual and performing arts innovation and leadership.

Hopkins came to Wright State from Indiana State University, where he served from 2001 to 2003 as senior associate vice president for academic affairs and interim dean of the School of Business. While at Indiana State University, he also served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs from 2000 to 2001; associate vice president for academic affairs from 1996 to 2000; assistant vice president for academic affairs from 1995 to 1996; and chairperson and professor in the Department of Physical Education from 1988 to 1994.

Provost

Sundaram Narayanan, former dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science who helped create and lead the Wright State Research Institute, began serving as university provost March 18, 2013.

The appointment marks the continuation of an exemplary 18-year career at Wright State for Narayanan, Ph.D., P.E.

Narayanan came to Wright State as an assistant engineering professor and served as chair of the Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering (BIE) for nine years. He was later appointed executive director of the Wright State Research Institute and then named dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, serving both positions concurrently.